ALEXANDRIA, Va. — A new study released Thursday determined that directed use of Lansinoh HPA Lanolin results in a marked reduction of nipple pain associated with breast-feeding and in significantly higher healing rates of nipple trauma compared with application of expressed breast milk. The researchers concluded that “the current recommendation for any topical treatment of sore nipples during breast-feeding should be revised in favor of HPA lanolin.”

A total of 84 breast-feeding women experiencing nipple pain within 72 hours after birth participated in the study, which was conducted at two Baby-Friendly Hospitals in Berlin, Germany.

Forty-five participants were treated with Lansinoh HPA Lanolin, a preservative-free and medical grade ointment that creates a breathable, temporary barrier that promotes moist wound healing. Thirty-nine participants were treated with their own expressed breast milk. All study participants received the same breast-feeding education. Physicians, blinded to the treatment method, later identified and rated nipple trauma on day three, seven and 14 after enrollment.

“The appropriate use of HPA lanolin results in a significant reduction of pain associated with breast-feeding and significantly higher healing rates of nipple trauma within 14 days of topical treatment,” the study authors wrote. “Benefits are most pronounced within the first three days of treatment. It should be noted and emphasized that there was no correlation between pain score and wound score in either group, which should be taken into consideration when advising breast-feeding mothers with painful nipples.”